CubaPLUS Magazine

The photograph on our Front Cover is worth a million words. It is an indestructible symbol of the friendship that exists between Guyana and Cuba –a friendship that is both historical and contemporaneous.

But Guyana-Cuba friendship is not only symbolic. It is far more substantive. Indeed, new avenues of cooperation have been opened up between the two nation-states for mutual benefit. In various sectors of our national economy –agriculture, apiculture, business training, education, health, medical training– we feel that beneficial impact. Cuban scientists and specialists, construction workers and hospitality personnel, among others, have now become an inescapable segment of the professional landscape in Guyana.

But that is not all. In the political sphere, Guyana-Cuba political positions are similar –upholding the lofty ideals of the UN Charter, supporting the goals of G77 & China, strengthening the grand principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, fortifying CARICOM-Cuba relations, and working actively to ensure that the Caribbean remains a Zone of Peace.

Guyana and Cuba are at one with the repeated, unending massacres taking place in Gaza –a situation that is rife with the probability of a regional (and wider) war. Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has put it bluntly: “It is nothing short of genocide. And it must stop, it must stop without condition, just as we, from any stage in this country can call on terrorism to stop. Terrorism has no place in our modern world and has no place in any religious texts.”

Today, Guyana continues to work assiduously to strengthen the bonds of fraternity that underline our cooperation.

Here in Cuba, our public diplomacy activities have been reshaped and now take in the provinces from Santiago de Cuba in the East, to Pinar del Río in the West. New areas of collaboration are being undertaken –provincial MIPYMES are being encouraged to engage the Guyana Institute for Private Enterprise Development (IPED) for entrepreneurial training and support, state companies are being urged to reach out to the Guyana Private Sector for joint venture business arrangements, and both sectors are exhorted to export Cuban products to Guyana.

Here in Cuba, the Guyana National Flag flies proudly and strongly. Nothing will diminish its pride and strength.

The photograph on our Front Cover with His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and His Excellency, President Miguel Díaz-Canel, is worth ten million words. It is a reflection of abiding camaraderie and true worth, a memoir of gratitude and greatness.

Siempre hacia una cooperación y una amistad duraderas!
Ever onward to lasting cooperation and friendship!

Halim Majeed, CCH
Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to Cuba.